It is no surprise that this coming Sunday’s talk is on faith and forgiveness.
As I write this short note, I’m heartbroken and yet hopeful at the state of some of our society’s Christian organizations. As many of you know, the adult-oriented website that offered options for married people to have affairs on their spouses has been hacked, and the list of “members” of this organization has been made public. We’ve seen a few celebrities listed, and maybe even a couple of those celebs who claim to be Christian are on that list.
A lot of marriages have been thrown into a tail-spin because of that website - because of that sin - because of the enemy making the grass on the other side of the fence seem so much greener. My heart is broken for all those couples impacted by this… however, the impact doesn’t stop with those couples, or even those families.
It has been estimated by Ed Stetzer (a research expert in church and culture, and big-wig at LifeWay) that 400 pastors/elders/deacons/church leaders have (had??) an account on the Ashley Madison website.
Let that sink in.
400 churches could’ve had their worlds rocked YESTERDAY, August 30th by having a leader/pastor resign due to this. The article can be found here.
That could mean that based on a national average attendance of 80, at least 32,000 Christians (not even counting those who attend the church semi-regularly and who aren’t yet committed) watched their leader confess to a sin that could potentially destroy their church. The body of believers who have led them to Christ, prayed for them, encouraged them, served with them, laughed with them, cried with them… just had the one(s) they look to the most to lead them to Jesus fall flat on their face. They’re now questioning everything they’ve been taught. They’re questioning their faith. They’re questioning Jesus.
They’re hurt.
They’re frustrated.
They may be leaving. for good.
That’s absolutely heart-breaking. The words I want to use shouldn’t be published on this blog.
But Church, even in the midst of these difficult times for our brothers and sisters in Christ, THERE. IS. HOPE.
There can be restoration, if there is repentance. if there is forgiveness. if there is love and grace and mercy. But it’s going to be a long road.
How do we know that hope still exists?? Because Jesus Christ Himself said that “the gates of Hell will NOT PREVAIL against [His Truth and His Church]!!!!!” You can read it right here!!
We will always be let down by other men, but we will NEVER be let down by King Jesus!!! THAT is the anchor to which I will secure my hope and my future!!
So what do we do now? We pray for those hurting. We help those reaching out for help. and we CONTINUE ON LOVING JESUS, LOVING WHO JESUS LOVES, AND SERVING WHO JESUS SERVES!!!!!
We will NOT quit!!
We will NOT be finally defeated!!
We WILL FIGHT ON!!!
In His name!! Through His name!! FOR HIS NAME!!!
LET’S KEEP GOING, CHURCH!!!!
As I write this short note, I’m heartbroken and yet hopeful at the state of some of our society’s Christian organizations. As many of you know, the adult-oriented website that offered options for married people to have affairs on their spouses has been hacked, and the list of “members” of this organization has been made public. We’ve seen a few celebrities listed, and maybe even a couple of those celebs who claim to be Christian are on that list.
A lot of marriages have been thrown into a tail-spin because of that website - because of that sin - because of the enemy making the grass on the other side of the fence seem so much greener. My heart is broken for all those couples impacted by this… however, the impact doesn’t stop with those couples, or even those families.
It has been estimated by Ed Stetzer (a research expert in church and culture, and big-wig at LifeWay) that 400 pastors/elders/deacons/church leaders have (had??) an account on the Ashley Madison website.
Let that sink in.
400 churches could’ve had their worlds rocked YESTERDAY, August 30th by having a leader/pastor resign due to this. The article can be found here.
That could mean that based on a national average attendance of 80, at least 32,000 Christians (not even counting those who attend the church semi-regularly and who aren’t yet committed) watched their leader confess to a sin that could potentially destroy their church. The body of believers who have led them to Christ, prayed for them, encouraged them, served with them, laughed with them, cried with them… just had the one(s) they look to the most to lead them to Jesus fall flat on their face. They’re now questioning everything they’ve been taught. They’re questioning their faith. They’re questioning Jesus.
They’re hurt.
They’re frustrated.
They may be leaving. for good.
That’s absolutely heart-breaking. The words I want to use shouldn’t be published on this blog.
But Church, even in the midst of these difficult times for our brothers and sisters in Christ, THERE. IS. HOPE.
There can be restoration, if there is repentance. if there is forgiveness. if there is love and grace and mercy. But it’s going to be a long road.
How do we know that hope still exists?? Because Jesus Christ Himself said that “the gates of Hell will NOT PREVAIL against [His Truth and His Church]!!!!!” You can read it right here!!
We will always be let down by other men, but we will NEVER be let down by King Jesus!!! THAT is the anchor to which I will secure my hope and my future!!
So what do we do now? We pray for those hurting. We help those reaching out for help. and we CONTINUE ON LOVING JESUS, LOVING WHO JESUS LOVES, AND SERVING WHO JESUS SERVES!!!!!
We will NOT quit!!
We will NOT be finally defeated!!
We WILL FIGHT ON!!!
In His name!! Through His name!! FOR HIS NAME!!!
LET’S KEEP GOING, CHURCH!!!!
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